For Those Who Are Grieving…

My heart has been heavy in recent months as I have witnessed increasing division in our country. And this morning, as I prayed and sought the Lord, my heart broke all over again for our country. A song has been on my mind (song attached at the end), and as I read this passage it came to me again,

“Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.”

Psalm 85:4-13

Oh Lord, only you can heal the hurts within us, and within our country. Only in recognition of how much we need you- our healer, our sustainer, our vine- the one to whom we must be connected. You are necessary for life. In you we find the only abiding peace that this life offers. We long for your peace. We long for your presence. We long for your glory to dwell in our land. Redeem and restore us Lord. Thank you Lord for the reminder this morning, that the answer isn’t in looking at others and what they “should” be doing, but availing myself to the work that needs to be done in me. May your glory and righteousness dwell in our land, and Lord, may we be faithful to your very personal call to each of us, and be faithful in the work you have called us to do. In Jesus Name, Amen.